Writing a Newspaper Article

Follow this step by step guide to a good article:

1. Decide what your article will be about.
2. Research the topic of your article.
3. A Quality newspaper article should be between 400 - 600 words. Write your article using the columns template below.
   Word Column Template
   Pages Column Template
4. First paragraph: In the first few sentences, answer these questions!
   Who?; What?; When?; Where?; Why?
5. Grab the reader's attention by using an opening sentence which is a question or something unexpected!
6. Now, give the details. It is always a good idea to include one or two quotes from people you interviewed. Write in the third person (he, she, it or they). Be objective. Use active verbs so the reader feels things are really happening!
7. Last paragraph: Round off your article. Try ending with a quote or a catchy phrase!
8. By-line: At the end, state who wrote the article; 'By ....'.
9. Decide where appropriate illustrations/pictures will be placed.
10. Proof-read your article and edit where needed.
11. Spell check your article!

Other important Notes

How to write a newspaper article.pdf

A historically accurate font called "18th Century" is available here. Ask a parent for help on how to install a new font.
To fit three columns onto one page of newsprint, you should have margins of 3.25 inches.
Here is a pre-formatted word document for writing your article. Article Writing Template.doc

click here to download this font